The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1887-08-03
THE GREAT DRAFT RIOTS.
TERRIBLE OPPOSITION TO CON.
SCRIPTIoN IN NEW YORK IN 1853.
A Brief Sketch of the Sanguinary
Resistance to the Draft-Hun.
drcds of People Killed.

A Brief Sketch of the Sanguinary
Resistance to the Draft-Hun.
dreds of People Killed.
The difficulty in enforcing the draft
in New York might have been foreseen,
indeed, it was plainly apprehended, but
it was not thought advisable by the Fed
eral authorities to materially alter the
regulations of conscription in putting the
law in in that city. Still, there can
be no doubt that the vastly different con-
ditions then existing in New York from
those in inland towns of the State, or
even other seaboard cities, formed the
original cause of the trouble New York
had then a much larger population than
any other city, and a much greater pro-
portion of foreigners among her inhab-
itants. These, naturally enough, had
no sentiment of patriotism to aid
them in submitting to the harsh
conditions of conscription. Further,
there were, as there always are in every
large city, a great proportion of poor men
whose families live from hand to mouth,
and who never have any provision made
| for future contingencies. To such
families of course the forcible removal of
their bread-winner meant starvation.
To such an extent had apprehensions Of
| this fate of their wives and children been
aroused among the laboring men of the
city-especially in those districts largely
inhabited by foreigners, and no doubt
melted by those who opposed the draft
| for political reasons-that associations
! were formed to resist the law by force.
On Saturday, July IL, 1868, the draft
, was begun in the Ninth Congressional
District, locality largely inhabited by
poor people. 1t was carried on without
interruption or disturbance, but on Sun.
day secret meetings were held and the
| plans of resistance formed. When the
draft was begun on the following morn.
ing mob surrounded the building in
which it was held, smashed in the win.
dows, broke down the DOORS and, rush.
ing in, destroyed, the furniture, and
finally set the building on fire. All of the
officers escaped uninjured but one, who
was hurt by flying stones. The success OF
the rioters here added large numbers tc
their ranks and in a few hours grcat
army, re-enforced by all the roughs oI
the city, was trampling through the
streets, burning, destroying, plunderine
and numbering wherever resistance wal
offered them. Crowds of women wcrt
with them, melting their husbands t.
lawless deeds. At first detachment o
marines were sent against them will
muskets and blank cartridges. When j
was known that their firing produced NJ
effect the crowd set upon them and bea
them, seriously injuring and even KILN:
several. Police sent against them wer
treated in like manner. The Coloret
Half Orphan Asylum on Fifth avcnu
was attacked by an army of boys, tn
children beaten, the place plundered an,
fired. There was no force at hand t
defend the city from the rioters but In
police, which did valiant service, thoug
they were not at all able to check tn
disorder. On the second day che riotin
was even worse than on the first Gov
ernor Seymour having arrived in tn
city, issued proclamation in which h
promised the people that the rights of a
would be protected, while he warned tn
people that he would use all means in hi
power to preserve order. A few hours late
he issued another proclamation, in whic
he declared the city in state of insul
rection, and ordered the dispersal of tn
mob. These proclamations, however
did but little good. General Wool, III
head of the department of the Eas
called out all veteran volunteers, BIT
there was so little time for organizin
that, though large numbers responded
they could not be used effectively.
small command of regular troops frol
Fort Lafayette did more effective servic,
The riot lasted three days, during whic
business was entirely suspended. III
draft was for the time given up, and til
City Council passed a relief bill to pa
$500 communication, or substitute none,
; for every drafted man of the poor,
classes who had family dependent upo
him. 1t was estimated that the numb,
, killed during the riots, or who died {
injuries, was nearly 1000, but this WI
probably an exaggerated estimate. III
mortality statistics recorded an increa
$ of 450 nver the average weekly mortalit
a of the year. There was much destru
tion of property, and claims for damag
caused by the riots were brought befO
, the county authorities to the aggrega
r of So, 500, 000 Many, however, we
\ disallowed by the examining committe
: but about 81 800, 900 was finally paid.
o Chicago Inter- Ocean.